Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero review: A pirate’s unlife for me

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I was astonished when I learned about a new installment of Phantom Brave. The first game was released way back in 2004 for the PlayStation 2, and I was just entering high school at that time! Over the years, it has been ported multiple times, much like other NIS classics that didn’t receive sequels, but it never seemed to gain significant popularity. It looks like the creators of Disgaea decided to revive one of its unique battle mechanics, thus bringing us Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero.

A surprising deep cut

In my gaming world, it’s been over two decades for me in reality, but just half a year has ticked by in Phantom Brave’s realm. Once again, I find myself as Marona, a girl with the unique ability to communicate with spirits and imprison them within objects. My trusty companion Ash, a ghost who’s been with me since forever, is by my side. After saving the world, we thought it was time to turn our “helping people and chatting with phantoms” gig into something more formal… you know, to cover rent.

So, we embarked on a journey together, only for ghost pirates to split us apart. It’s like they timed their attack perfectly, making sense in the grand scheme of things, yet feeling utterly random at the same instant.

On a deserted island, having lost her partner-cum-undead mentor, Marona encounters the spirit of a local pirate captain’s daughter following an encounter with his spectral crew. With this unexpected turn of events, Marona embarks on a new adventure, choosing to adapt and assist others while solving mysteries as they arise. Even if you haven’t played the initial game, you’ll quickly grasp who Marona is in the narrative flow.

We trust the ghosts here; no busting

In Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero, there’s a lot of figuring things out as you play. Unlike the straightforward nature of Disgaea, this game seems to be inventing its own rules as it goes along, which can be both good and bad. There are numerous unique and unfamiliar systems in the game that you need to interact with, whether you’re ready for them or not. Despite its friendly appearance and easy difficulty setting, Phantom Brave is not an easy game to get into. However, it’s unlike any other game I’ve played in the past two decades, making it quite distinctive; until another Phantom Brave appeared out of nowhere.

In simpler terms, let me explain how engaging with The Lost Hero’s gameplay mechanics is like setting the stage for an exciting adventure. Instead of moving my character in small squares or tiles, I control them in a larger circular motion and can jump over obstacles manually. When performing actions, a second circle approaches me, representing the “Doing Stuff” cap.

Each attack, even a simple punch, has an area of effect (AoE) that I must carefully aim and consider. My combat abilities are limited to four turns before I lose my physical form, though a teenage girl has given my soul temporary solidity to fight monsters. My weapon is currently a starfish, which I found after the last battle and may grant me new skills. For now, I’ll likely toss it at someone when I find a better weapon, if time permits. It seems everything will work out in due course.

As a devoted fan, I’ve found that the Phantom Brave series, with its unique theme of befriending spirits, presents an engaging yet challenging gameplay experience. Unlike other games where permanence is the norm, battles in this series require adaptability as resources are temporary. You can’t simply rely on your favorite team to conquer every fight and methodically explore the map. Instead, you need a backup squad or a rotating team to ensure combat efficiency. Additionally, the strategic aspect extends to using various map elements like trees, crates, and barrels to summon units. This system might seem daunting, especially for fans of NIS who are accustomed to more freedom in gameplay without much restriction. In my earlier days, I struggled to grasp Phantom Brave, despite being captivated by the characters and their narrative. My strategic thinking capacity had its limits, and the concept of a unit only lasting for four turns before vanishing was overwhelming.

In this playthrough of The Lost Hero, I couldn’t simply flee as usual. Using the easy mode was quite beneficial, let’s be honest. However, Marona’s ability to grant additional turns to units made it challenging not to get myself into a tricky situation. But as long as I avoided starting battles with all my attack-oriented characters, the initially daunting limits became just another figure to keep track of.

What really got on my nerves was the need to manage my weapons, as it required me to look at numerous numbers simultaneously if I wanted to try changing things up. Ultimately, The Lost Hero felt quite tedious, even though its mechanics seemed fresh and unfamiliar.

It’s kinda like Disgaea, without the Hell part. Instead: Teddy bears!

When discussing familiar storylines, The Lost Hero’s narrative style mirrors what fans of NIS are used to. It carries a more upbeat atmosphere as opposed to the intense energy of Disgaea, yet it maintains its distinct style and this game comfortably fits within it. You’ll encounter peculiar characters who interact delightfully with your own quirky ones, while life lessons are subtly taught throughout. This company excels at using familiar tropes in unique settings, and that approach continues here. The story occasionally seems to wander aimlessly, but this reflects the carefree nature of the protagonist Marona, who is simply joyful to be alive and help those in need. Despite the laid-back vibes, the action and number-crunching are anything but relaxing.

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero – A Unique Spin on Classic RPG Gameplay

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero might seem a bit awkward at first, but its quirky vibe stems from a commendable effort to challenge traditional RPG gameplay norms in a genre that’s notoriously resistant to change. The original game offered intriguing concepts two decades ago, and these ideas have been refined and expanded upon without sacrificing the experimental spirit. However, its systems can be both peculiar and grindy. The narrative leans more towards cheerful optimism rather than pulling you in forcefully. Instead, it encourages a laid-back approach, which feels comfortable until issues start to surface. Fans of the original (hello, fellow 30 or 40-something RPG enthusiasts) are likely to enjoy this sequel, although some might find the smoother edges less satisfying. For those new to the series, I’d suggest giving it a try if you’re seeking something fresh and innovative. Be warned that it can be overwhelming at first; but if you push through, there’s a rewarding adventure waiting on the other side. It’s an ideal candidate for a demo, and as expected, one is available. Give it a spin!

On January 30, 2025, Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero will be released on both the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 & 5. Moreover, a PC version is anticipated to arrive in spring 2025. For this review, I was given a Nintendo Switch code.

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2025-01-23 17:27